Hi Everyone,
It’s been a busy last 2 weeks as I’ve packed in tests & projects as well as preparations for the trip. I leave less than 48 hours!
It’s hard to believe, especially since life continues to move at the same pace. In only a few days I will be traveling to an island in the Caribbean. It will be sunny and in the high 80s next week, but we won’t be hitting the beaches…
Preparations: We’ve been preparing a lot this week: a final logistics meeting on Tuesday night, a prayer service on Wednesday, and team dinner tonight (Thursday). I wish I could say I feel prepared to go, but I’m learning that I can never be fully ready for when God shows up in my life. But I’m definitely excited!
Our team will be driving an hour south to the Pittsburgh airport on Saturday morning to catch our flights. Traveling is a little complicated, since I decided to join this trip later than some of the others. Most of the team will be flying on an earlier flight, while mine departs at 3:20 to Miami, then touching down in Santo Domingo at 10:30pm. The others’ flight is due in Santo Domingo at 10pm, so it should work out well. But still, pray that we would all be able to meet up successfully in the airport. Fortunately I speak Spanish, so the worst-case scenario is not as bad.
After meeting up in the airport, we will head to Las Canitas outside of Santo Domingo. We learned recently that for lodging we will be split into pairs and stay in homes of families in the neighborhood. This was very exciting news to me, as it will provide a lot more opportunities for interaction with the people & customs of the Dominican Republic. Dominicans pride themselves on their hospitality, so we should be in good hands.
On Sunday we will attend a lively Palm Sunday service (Domingo de Ramos) at the catholic church, which I hear is quite the experience. Dominicans, like many Caribbean peoples, are a very lively and passionate people, so it will be fun to worship together with them.
As for our work, the details are still somewhat uncertain. Sister Mary Providence has told us that she has everything planned for us, but what exactly that is…we’ll find out! In general, we will be helping the nuns with their normal ministries to the community – preparing and sharing meals with elderly people, working with children, visiting homes in the community, and possibly doing some painting at the convent. As with any mission trip, we will just have to be flexible and have a good attitude about whatever God has for us to do.
God has opened up an opportunity to serve my team by leading some of the daily devotions and discussions. I still need to do a little planning for that, but God will equip me for every good work that he has for me to do. Hopefully I can be used to help build the spiritual focus and unity of our group while on the trip, through spending time with God and sharing with others what he is teaching me throughout the day.
After (almost) a week of work, service, and eye-opening experiences, I’ll fly back to Chicago (through San Juan, Puerto Rico) and arrive home on Thursday night!
Follow along with Twitter: To help you all follow along, (and at the suggestion of my oldest brother), I’ve set up a Twitter account, which I then linked to this blog – check it out on the right. I’ll be able to send short text message updates from the DR, which will post right here to this website! Hopefully I’ll have adequate cell coverage and it will go through (the rates are actually quite affordable).
Thank you to all of you for your love and support and shared excitement as I embark on this trip. I have felt very loved as you have sent me emails and comments letting me know that you are following the trip and praying for me. Don’t stop now! I need your prayers more than ever.
Things to pray for: Travel safety & that we would all be able to meet easily once we’re down in the DR. Pray for the family that I’ll be staying with, that they wouldn’t have too much trouble dealing with me. Pray for me as I lead the devotionals and other group – reflection times. Pray that I would be emptied of myself and my own strength and be filled with the Holy Spirit, and feed on Christ daily. Pray that our team would both make an impact and be impacted to become more like Jesus. And pray that God would protect us during our stay and on the way home.
Thanks again, I love you all!
Marshall
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for keeping us in the loop. We are praying for you, man!
We love you and hope that this is an exciting time for you. Keep your eyes on Jesus, and watch for Him to do amazing things!
Christopher, Julie, Harper and Ella
We are praying for you…Can’t wait to hear the details!
Marshall – thanks for looping us in and keeping us posted. It’s good to know how to pray for you and your team, and I look forward to hearing how things go…especially as you tweet from the DR.
Marshall, what a privilege to join with you by God’s spirit in this unique opportunity to learn and serve. I look forward to hearing more about your experience. You can count on prayers from the Van Poolen home.
Have a great trip, Marshall. We’ll pray that God does a great work in your life and in the lives of those you minister to.
I hope all goes well on your trip and will look forward to hearing from you via your blog. Thanks for chronicling your journey.
Blessing to you…you will be in my prayers.
Bob Snyder
Hey Cute Cuz!
I just wanted to wish you a wonderful journey, be as you always are… a great smile, a glimmer in your eye, and a totally open soul. And continue to dance, dance in the moment, dance in your head, with your friends and with the new buddies you will meet. And most of all be there… be in the moment, take it in, soak it up. Love to you!!! Blessing unto your heart and soul, and strength to the character you are developing. It will go long in this world and take you so many places. AND when you get back, let’s hang out!
Marsh, Bon voyage (that’s French – because I don’t know Spanish)! I’m praying you’ll be a real blessing to people this next week and that they will get into your heart, too. Traveling mercies. xo
Hey Marshall,
Twenty two years ago when I lived with your family during my transition from Texas to Illinois, I could have never dreamed that my little eighteen month old towe head nephew could have matured so soon to be a missionary of the Gospel of Christ to a third world culture. It is awesome to have so excellent and compassionate a family representative such as you ministering to the people of the D. R. as you will be very soon. We will be praying for your safety and health as well as a time of rich ministry and fun. We love you, Marshall. Godspeed.
Uncle Ken and Aunt Sharon
Marshall, I left a note yesterday morning and it disappeared, so here’s another.
Gail and I wish you the best and know that this will be a defining moment in your life.
We are proud of you! We will be praying for you.
In Christ,
Jay and Gail Caress